‘I respectfully disagree’: Kotek says Oregon will follow sanctuary law despite threats
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday pushed back against claims from the federal government that the state is obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts because of its sanctuary law.
On Aug. 13, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi gave Kotek, along with dozens of other elected officials in sanctuary states and cities, until Tuesday to respond to a letter threatening legal consequences because the state prohibits law enforcement and other public agencies from cooperating with federal officials on immigration enforcement.
“You demanded a response by today,” Kotek said in her letter. “On behalf of the state of Oregon and its citizens, I respectfully disagree with your assertions. The state of Oregon, its public officials and its law enforcement officers do not engage in conduct that thwarts federal immigration enforcement.”
Kotek explained the history of Oregon’s 1987 sanctuary state law and said that most Oregon voters support the law. In a 2018 ballot measure, 63% of Oregon voters opposed repealing the law.
Under the sanctuary law, law enforcement agencies in Oregon in nearly all circumstances cannot inquire about immigration status or investigate someone for immigration enforcement purposes. Requests from federal agencies to local law enforcement agencies about immigration enforcement without a judicial order must be documented, reported and denied.
Kotek said the state of Oregon complies with federal law and it will continue to follow its own laws.
At a Monday press conference related to the state’s most recent lawsuit against the federal government, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said the federal government is asking Oregon to break its own laws.
Out of the 37 lawsuits Oregon’s filed against the Trump administration, Rayfield said “a handful” stem from threats to force compliance on immigration issues such as by withholding funding used to support victims of domestic abuse and funding for road repairs and flood protections.
To report violations of Oregon’s sanctuary law, individuals can contact the Oregon Department of Justice’s Sanctuary Promise hotline at 1-844-924-STAY/1-844-6-AMPARO or report online at SanctuaryPromise.Oregon.gov or PromesaSantuario.Oregon.gov.
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Mia Maldonado began working at the Oregon Capital Chronicle in 2025 to cover the Oregon Legislature and state agencies with a focus on social services. She began her journalism career with the Capital Chronicle's sister outlet in Idaho, the Idaho Capital Sun, where she received multiple awards for her coverage of the environment and Latino affairs. She has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and international political economy from the College of Idaho. Born and raised in the West, Mia enjoys hiking, skiing and rockhounding in her free time.
